No On 1 TV Ad: Book

The No On 1 Protect Maine Equality campaign has released a new ad rebuttal against the anti-gay organization seeking to overturn the marriage equality law. The new ad sets the record straight on a children's book that values all families.

Catholic Declaration in Support of Marriage Equality

The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry has begun a petition for faithful Roman Catholics who believe what the court did on May 6th to legalize same-sex civil marriage in Maine was right and helped end discrimination in marital matters.

The group believes in the Catholic principles of diversity and social justice, as well as the crucial separation of matters between church and state. The group is not asking the church to change its policy on marriage sacrament, but to merely not interfere with attempts to create civil marriage recognition.

Sign the Catholic declaration in support of Marriage Equality.

Get a Maine Marriage License!

This election marriage equality is up to a vote in Maine, hopefully freedom prevails but in case it doesn't there is still time left to get your marriage license. There is no state residency requirement, any same-sex couple can get a Maine marriage license for $20!

The reason it's important to do this is because the state likely will not be able to deny marriages existing before any potential bans take place. Also, recognized same-sex marriages are an opportunity for court battles to re-open marriage equality to all couples.

If you are interested in purchasing a Maine marriage license go here.

Travel for Change to Protect Maine Equality

Travel for Change seeks to enable volunteers and supporters to help out with the No on 1 Maine Marriage Equality campaign by:

1. Recruiting people to come organize in Maine;

2. Providing a platform for sponsors to donate through airline miles or fund travelers;

3. Organizing rideshares for equality.

So whether you want to hit the ground, donate some cash, or donate frequent flier miles, you can pitch in at Travel for Change.

Take a Volunteer Vacation to Maine

The folks at No On 1/Protect Maine Equality invite you to consider a "volunteer vacation" this fall.

During the month leading up to the election, the campaign will be hosting a team of highly motivated volunteers to serve as full-time, volunteer campaign staff. In Maine voters begin casting their ballots in October, so we’re planning the Volunteer Vacation to run during the entire month of October. There are several shifts to choose from, each lasting one week (although you’re welcome to stay longer):

*WEEK #1: Sun, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 11 (Arrive Sat, Oct 3. Orientation Sun, Oct 4. Depart Sun, Oct 11)

*WEEK #2: Sun, Oct 11 – Sun, Oct 18 (Arrive Sat, Oct 10. Orientation Sun, Oct 11. Depart Sun, Oct 18)

*WEEK #3: Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Oct 25 (Arrive Sat, Oct 17. Orientation Sun, Oct 18. Depart Sun, Oct 25)

*WEEK #4: Sun, Oct 25 – Wednesday, Nov 4 (Arrive Sat, Oct 24. Orientation Sun, Oct 25. Depart Sun, Nov 1)

When you arrive, you will receive a full orientation and will be assigned to a team, where you will be trained on various aspects of the campaign. The campaign will provide housing with local supporters, but you will be responsible for paying for your own travel to/from Portland, food, and local transportation.

Crossposted via Joe My God.

First TV Ads from the No on 1 Campaign

The first official TV ads from the No on 1 protect marriage equality Maine campaign have been released.





Please consider supporting the efforts to keep these ads running by donating to the No on 1 campaign.

Request an Early Ballot to Vote No on 1 in Maine!

Mainers don't have to wait for the November 3rd referendum election to cast their vote for marriage equality. People can vote as soon as September against referendum 1 which if passed will eliminate same-sex marriage.

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot via mail and cast their vote early.

Please fill out the form via Equality Maine for their tracking purposes, and to be re-directed to the Secretary of State's form for ballot requests.

Organization Spotlight: Maine Freedom to Marry

Maine Freedom to Marry has been at the forefront of the efforts to bring marriage equality to the state by raising awareness about same-sex marriage. Now the organization is fighting to defeat amendment 1 which would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry, which will be on the ballot this November.

Maine's No On 1 Videos Go Viral

Activist Sean Chapin has released a few videos about why it is essential to keep marriage equality in the state. Please watch and spread the videos far and wide to change the hearts and minds of voters!







H/T to Unite the Fight

No On 1 - Protect Maine Equality!

Maine residents will vote on proposition 1 which determines the fate of the marriage equality bill passed by the legislature earlier this year. The Maine Freedom to Marry coalition is out in full force to protect equality for all families and come November 4th it is pertinent to vote NO on prop 1.

It's not enough to just vote, the anti-gay side is out in full force collecting signatures, money, and spreading lies about same-sex couples. We must counter this misinformation and ensure that Maine prop 1 does not repeat the mistakes of California's prop 8 which ultimately eliminated same-sex marriage rights.

Find your county to get involved locally in changing hearts and minds.

Out of Staters can also get involved in fighting prop 1.

Donate any spare change to Maine Freedom to Marry so they can ensure equality remains the law.

Steps to Take to Protect Marriage in Maine

Just a few months ago the state of Maine made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, but right wing opponents are ready to bring the issue to a vote on the ballot come November. Mainers are equally split similarly to how the voting turned out in California's proposition 8 on whether same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

Please join the Maine Freedom to Marry campaign to ensure that we keep marriage equality as the law of the land.

Steps to take:

Take the pledge to support marriage fairness.

Donate money to the campaign.

Volunteer to help out the campaign (Maine & out of state residents)

Start a cyber campaign to fund raise for MFTM.

Make your voice heard by blogging for equality.

Maine Officially Becomes 5th State to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

It is with great pleasure to report that Governor John Baldacci of Maine has signed LD 1020 An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom. Via a press release on his website, the governor who formerly was opposed to marriage has now come out saying "he does not believe civil unions are equal to marriage, and that signing this legislation is the right thing to do".

Maine House Passes Marriage Equality!

The Maine house voted today for LD 1020 to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage & Affirm Religious Freedom. The bill has passed 89-58, and an earlier bill passed the senate. The bill now goes to the governors desk for approval before becoming law. If the bill is signed into law, Maine will become the 5th state to legalize same-sex marriage, and the 2nd state to do by legislative process.

Share your views with the governor, tell him to sign marriage equality into law!

Office of the Governor
#1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
207-287-3531

Maine House to Vote on Marriage Equality Bill Tuesday. Urge Them to Support!

Maine's Senate passed the marriage equality bill Thursday and will be headed to the House Tuesday for a floor vote Tuesday, May 5.

Maine voters are deeply divided over marriage equality, so it's important that the House hears from you and your support for its passing.

ACTION: Contact your Maine representative and tell them to vote yes for marriage equality.

Also, take a minute to sign Equality Maine's thank you letter to the Senators who passed marriage equality bill LD 1020.

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

Contact Maine Senate Judiciary Committee to Pass Marriage Bill LD 1020

The Maine Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing yesterday on LD 1020 the bill to reverse the state ban on same-sex marriage and open up the institution to gay and lesbian couples. 3,000 people packed the University of Maine campus to speak as proponents or opponents of the bill, in a heated 14 hour long event.

The committee will convene again on Tuesday, April 28th, and it is critical that they hear more testimonies and opinions of those in favor of full marriage rights.

Maine residents can send a message to their representatives through the Equality Maine form.

All Americans should also contact all 14 reps on the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote in favor of LD 1020.

Take Action for Marriage Equality in Maine

A bill to make marriage between same-sex couples legal and to reverse the existing ban on same-sex marriage in Maine will be brought up for a vote in the legislature. The bill is sponsored by Senator Dennis Damon (D-Hancock).

The Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition is asking for people to get involved:

• Talk with your legislators and senators.

• Write a letter to the editor, and talk to the media.

• Volunteer with MFMC.

The Way Life Should Be: Marriage In Maine


Share the story of your same-sex relationship in Maine at Our Stories.

Equality Maine Endorses Tom Allen for Senate

"The state’s largest GLBT Advocacy group, Equality Maine, has endorsed Tom Allen (D-Portland) for Senate. Allen, a current U.S. Representative, is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor.)

Equality Maine’s executive director, Betsy Smith, said in a release:

“Throughout his long career, Congressman Allen has supported fairness and equality while opposing discrimination. His voting record on LGBT issues is exceptional. He has worked to eliminate discrimination in jobs, housing, public accommodations and financial matters, and we look forward to working with him to win fully-inclusive federal employment non-discrimination legislation.”

Cross posted from the Gay Agenda

Equality Maine Needs Our Help!

Action Alert from Equality Maine:

"On Tuesday, June 10th, primary voters will be asked to sign a petition supporting a referendum that would strip basic protections from LGBT Mainers and their families.

Voters have every right to sign that petition. But we want them to know what they're really signing: a measure that would

* Erase all the non-discrimination protections we've fought so hard to win
* End funding for school civil rights teams, which have played a vital role in combating harassment of all kinds
* Prohibit unmarried couples from jointly adopting, a move that would threaten the best interest of children

We also want to offer a better choice for fair-minded Mainers to sign: a statement of support for equality for all people in this state.

Help EqualityMaine build a presence at hundreds of polling places around Maine. Volunteer with us on June 10th.

Because if enough voters sign that petition, we'll face another anti-equality referendum battle in November 2009.

Every hour you can give on primary day will make a difference. Email our field organizer, Matt Moonen, at mmoonen@equalitymaine.org by May 30 to sign up. He'll get back to you with more information about volunteer training and scheduling."